First nations groups protesting against Enbridge Inc’s controversial pipeline to the B.C. coast will reconsider their opposition to the project if its regulatory approval process is put on hold.

The Coastal First Nations in a September meeting told Pat Daniel, Enbridge’s chief executive, they want the Joint Review Panel (JRP) to delay hearings on the company’s proposed Northern Gateway pipeline so negotiations between the two sides can resume and a stronger relationship can be built.

“If we could have a fresh start and were able build a good relationship, the Coastal First Nations might be willing to take another look at the project,” Art Sterritt, the group’s executive director, said in an interview. “That wouldn’t mean we would necessarily come out and agree with it, but we would certainly take a closer look at it.”

Comment by Linda Halyk on 23rd November 2011Excerps from the Globe and Mail Nov 22/11.

Daniel's at two day meeting with Coastal First Nations Sept 28th.

(Enbridge’s chances of building the pipeline would increase if it could woo opponents such as the Coastal First Nations, an alliance of nearly a dozen B.C. first nations. The battle between the pipeline’s proponents and detractors is expected to drag on for years, and a truce might shorten the fight.)

(If we could have a fresh start and were able build a good relationship, the Coastal First Nations might be willing to take another look at the project,” Art Sterritt, the group’s executive director, said in an interview. “That wouldn’t mean we would necessarily come out and agree with it, but we would certainly take a closer look at it.” )

(Mr. Daniel went to the Coastal First Nations’ two-day board meeting in Vancouver on Sept. 28, according to the regulatory filing and confirmed by Enbridge. )

WE MUST STAND TOGETHER: We must not let Clark & Harper drive a wedge between us, working together we can accomplish so much more.

We can not allow Canada's water and land to be destroyed, it is not if, it is WHEN a spill will occur. Fly over the tarsands they are an enormous scar on the planet, what happens to Alberta once it is all gone. I don't understand a man with as much education and advisors, would still agree, that this is the best plan. Harper find another way to get a relationship with Asia, don't destroy our land, the planet and the people for money. Especially when you are giving away our natural resources for such a risky return, it is highly speculative. The short term gain's are out weighed by the long term risks, not including boom and bust of construction. There will be very few long term jobs once the project is complete. You want the oil build refinery's, put Canadian's to work and sell a cleaner finished product.

The tarsands are not a renewable resource. We need to find alternatives to gas and oil. Put the money you will end up spending on fighting us towards research. Canada needs to become a leader in green energy sources, not rapers and pillagers of the land. Harper you are not doing your part towards Global Climate Change by sending dirty oil and coal to China, where they have less stringent pollution controls.

We need to carefuly consider what we are doing to this Province and the planet. I am positive if we could put our young peoples minds to it, they can find alternatives. Lets use our heads and find a clean power source.